588 District Five students earn AP Scholar designation

School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties had 588 students earn an AP Scholar designation by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams.

“I am enormously proud of the students and teachers in District Five for their success on Advanced Placement examinations,” Virginia Tate, Coordinator of Gifted Programs and Visual and Performing Arts. “A total number of 588 AP Scholars is an achievement that demonstrates a continual focus on rigor and advanced study. These students excelled in multiple AP courses, and this success is just a first step in what will surely be a lifetime of achievement. Congratulations to all AP Scholars and to the dedicated teachers who guided each student towards success.”

The College Board’s AP Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. Students took AP Exams in May 2020 after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on the student’s performance on AP Exams. Students qualify under the following criteria:

• AP Scholar – Score of 3 or higher on 3 different AP exams
• AP Scholar with Honor – Average score of 3.25 on All AP exams and a score of 3 or higher on 4 AP exams
• AP Scholar with Distinction – Average score of 3.5 on All AP exams and a score of 3 or higher on 5 AP exams
• National AP Scholar – Score of 4 or higher on ALL AP exams AND a score of 4 or higher on 8 AP exams.

Of the 588 students honored district-wide, 277 qualified for the AP Scholar designation, 129 earned AP Scholars with Honor, 182 earned AP Scholars with Distinction, and 45 earned National AP Scholars. One student in the district earned an AP International Diploma (APID). The APID is a globally recognized certificate awarded to students who display exceptional achievement across a variety of disciplines and certifies academic excellence to colleges and universities all over the world. Forty-four students also earned the AP Capstone Diploma, which is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing.